Turmoil in Madagascar

Police in Madagascar today opened fire on protesters marching toward the presidential palace, killing as many 30 people. Tension had been mounting for days among the ousted mayor of Antananarivo, the capital city, and the president: On Tuesday, Mayor Andry Rajoelina, 34, was ousted from office after declaring himself the new leader of the country. He had repeatedly accused the president of being a corrupt dictator. The BBC reports that earlier today the former mayor had attended a rally of 20,000 people and announced that he was head of a “transition higher authority.” Many are claiming that the military police shot at the crowd unprovoked and that the protesters were unarmed.